MS ISO 3215:2009

MALAYSIAN
STANDARD

OIL OF NUTMEG, INDONESIAN TYPE

(Myristica fragrans Houtt.)
(ISO 3215:1998, IDT)

ISO 3215:1998 is endorsed as Malaysian Standard with the

reference number MS ISO 3215:2009.

ICS: 71.100.60
Descriptors: oil of nutmeg, Myristica fragrans, specification

© Copyright 2009
DEPARTMENT OF STANDARDS MALAYSIA

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved

DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN STANDARDS

The Department of Standards Malaysia (STANDARDS MALAYSIA) is the national

standardisation and accreditation body.

The main function of the Department is to foster and promote standards,

standardisation and accreditation as a means of advancing the national economy,
promoting industrial efficiency and development, benefiting the health and safety of
the public, protecting the consumers, facilitating domestic and international trade and
furthering international cooperation in relation to standards and standardisation.

Malaysian Standards are developed through consensus by committees which

comprise of balanced representation of producers, users, consumers and others with
relevant interests, as may be appropriate to the subject in hand. To the greatest
extent possible, Malaysian Standards are aligned to or are adoption of international
standards. Approval of a standard as a Malaysian Standard is governed by the
Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 (Act 549). Malaysian Standards are reviewed
periodically. The use of Malaysian Standards is voluntary except in so far as they are
made mandatory by regulatory authorities by means of regulations, local by-laws or
any other similar ways.

The Department of Standards appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent to develop

Malaysian Standards. The Department also appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent for
distribution and sale of Malaysian Standards.

For further information on Malaysian Standards, please contact:

Department of Standards Malaysia OR SIRIM Berhad

Century Square, Level 1 & 2 (Company No. 367474 - V)
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E-mail: central@standardsmalaysia.gov.my

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved

 MS ISO 3215:2009

CONTENTS
Page

Committee representation...........................................................................................................ii
National foreword ....................................................................................................................... iii

1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 1
2 Normative references.................................................................................................... 1
3 Term and definition ....................................................................................................... 1
4 Requirements................................................................................................................ 1
5 Sampling ....................................................................................................................... 2
6 Test methods ................................................................................................................ 2

Table 1 Chromatographic profile ............................................................................................. 2

Figures
A.1 Typical chromatogram taken on an apolar column....................................................... 3
A.2 Typical chromatogram taken on a polar column........................................................... 4

Annexes
A Typical chromatograms of the analysis by gas chromatography
of the essential oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type (Myristica fragrans Houtt.).................. 3
B Flashpoint ..................................................................................................................... 5

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved i

MS ISO 3215:2009

Committee representation

The Industry Standards Committee on Food and Food Products (ISC U) under whose authority this Malaysian
Standard was adopted, comprises representatives from the following organisations:

Department of Agriculture Malaysia

Department of Chemistry, Malaysia
Department of Standards Malaysia
Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
Malaysian Association of Standards Users
Malaysian Institute of Food Technology
Malaysian Palm Oil Association
Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Malaysia
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (National Biotechnology Division)
SIRIM Berhad (Secretariat)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia

The Technical Committee on Herbs which recommended the adoption of the ISO Standard consists of
representatives from the following organisations:

Alterni (M) Sdn Bhd

Applied Chemie Sdn Bhd
Department of Agriculture Malaysia
FA Herbs Sdn Bhd
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Institute for Medical Research
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
Malaysian Herbal Corporation
Ministry of Health Malaysia (National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau)
SIRIM Berhad (Secretariat)
SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant)

Co-opted members:

Biotropics Malaysia Berhad

Pati Bumi Sdn Bhd
SIRIM Berhad (Environmental and Bioprocess Technology Centre)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang

ii © STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved

 MS ISO 3215:2009

NATIONAL FOREWORD

The adoption of the ISO Standard as a Malaysian Standard was recommended by the
Technical Committee on Herbs under the authority of the Industry Standards Committee on
Food and Food Products.

This Malaysian Standard is identical with ISO 3215:1998, Oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type
(Myristica fragrans Houtt.), published by the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO). However, for the purposes of this Malaysian Standard, the following apply:

a) in the source text, "this International Standard" should read "this Malaysian Standard";

b) the comma which is used as a decimal sign (if any), to read as a point; and

c) reference to International Standards should be replaced by equivalent Malaysian

Standards as follows:

Referenced International Standards Corresponding Malaysian Standards

ISO 210, Essential oils - General rules for MS 1865, Essential oils - General rules for
packaging, conditioning and storage packaging, conditioning and storage

ISO 211, Essential oils - General rules for MS 1866, Essential oils - General rules for
labelling and marking of containers labelling and marking of containers

ISO 212, Essential oils - Sampling MS ISO 212, Essential oils - Sampling

ISO 11024-1, Essential oils - General MS ISO 11024-1, Essential oils - General
guidance on chromatographic profiles - guidance on chromatographic profiles -
Part 1: Preparation of chromatographic Part 1: Preparation of chromatographic
profiles for presentation in standards profiles for presentation in standards

ISO 11024-2, Essential oils - General MS ISO 11024-2, Essential oils - General
guidance on chromatographic profiles - guidance on chromatographic profiles -
Part 2: Utilization of chromatographic Part 2: Utilization of chromatographic
profiles of samples of essential oils profiles of samples of essential oils

Compliance with a Malaysian Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal
obligations.

NOTE. IDT on the front cover indicates an identical standard i.e. a standard where the technical content, structure,
wording (or is an identical translation) of a Malaysian Standard is exactly the same as in an International Standard or
is identical in technical content and structure although it may contain the minimal editorial changes specified in clause
4.2 of ISO/IEC Guide 21-1.

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved iii

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 3215

Second edition
1998-12-15

Oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type (Myristica

fragrans Houtt.)
Huile essentielle de noix muscade, type Indonésie (Myristica fragrans
Houtt.)

A Reference number
ISO 3215:1998(E)
ISO 3215:1998(E)

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.

Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

International Standard ISO 3215 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 54, Essential oils.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 3215:1974), which has been technically revised.

Annexes A and B of this International Standard are for information only.

© ISO 1998
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Genève 20 • Switzerland
Internet iso@iso.ch
Printed in Switzerland

ii
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD © ISO ISO 3215:1998(E)

Oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)

1 Scope ISO 11024-2, Essential oils — General guidance on

chromatographic profiles — Part 2: Utilization of
This International Standard specifies certain chromatographic profiles of samples of essential oils.
characteristics of the oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type
(Myristica fragrans Houtt.), in order to facilitate
assessment of its quality.
3 Term and definition

For the purposes of this International Standard, the

2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions
which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this International Standard. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions
of, any of these publications do not apply. However,
parties to agreements based on this International
Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent editions of the normative
documents indicated below. For undated references,
the latest edition of the normative document referred
to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain registers
of currently valid International Standards.
following term and definition apply.
3.1
oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type
essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the dried
and crushed nuts of Myristica fragrans Houtt. of the
Myristicaceae family, cultivated primarily in the
Indonesian archipelago
4 Requirements
4.1 Appearance

ISO 210, Essential oils — General rules for packaging, Clear mobile liquid.
conditioning and storage.

ISO 211, Essential oils — General rules for labelling

4.2 Colour
and marking containers.
Almost colourless to light yellow.
ISO 212, Essential oils — Sampling.
4.3 Odour
ISO 279, Essential oils — Determination of relative
density at 20 °C — Reference method. Spicy, sweet, aromatic, with characteristic nuances.

ISO 280, Essential oils — Determination of refractive

index. 4.4 Relative density at 20 °C, d 2020

ISO 592, Essential oils — Determination of optical Minimum: 0,885 0

rotation. Maximum: 0,907 0

ISO 875, Essential oils — Evaluation of miscibility in

4.5 Refractive index at 20 °C
ethanol.
Minimum: 1,475 0
ISO 4715, Essential oils — Quantitative evaluation of
Maximum: 1,485 0
residue on evaporation.

ISO 11024-1, Essential oils — General guidance on 4.6 Optical rotation at 20 °C

chromatographic profiles — Part 1: Preparation of
chromatographic profiles for presentation in standards. Between + 6° and + 18°.

1
ISO 3215:1998(E) © ISO

4.7 Miscibility in ethanol (volume fraction 6 Test methods

90%) at 20 °C
6.1 Relative density at 20 °C, d 2020
1 volume of the oil shall not require more than 5
volumes of ethanol (volume fraction 90 %) to obtain a See ISO 279.
solution, sometimes with opalescence. However, 3 or 4
volumes are adequate in the case of freshly distilled
oils. 6.2 Refractive index at 20 °C

See ISO 280.

4.8 Residue on evaporation
6.3 Optical rotation at 20 °C
Maximum: 2%
See ISO 592.
4.9 Chromatographic profile
6.4 Miscibility in ethanol (volume fraction
Analysis of the essential oil shall be carried out by gas 90 %) at 20 °C
chromatography. In the chromatogram obtained, the
representative and characteristic components shown in See ISO 875.
Table 1 shall be identified. The proportions of these
components, indicated by the integrator, shall be as
shown in Table 1. This constitutes the chromatographic 6.5 Residue on evaporation
profile of the essential oil.
See ISO 4715.
4.10 Flashpoint
Evaporation time: 3 h.
Information on the flashpoint is given in annex B.
6.6 Chromatographic profile

5 Sampling See ISO 11024-1 and ISO 11024-2.

See ISO 212.

7 Packaging, labelling, marking
Minimum volume of test sample: 25 ml.
and storage
NOTE This volume allows each of the tests specified in
this International Standard to be carried out at least once. See ISO 210 and ISO 211.

Table 1 — Chromatographic profile

Component Minimum Maximum
% %
α-Pinene 15 28
β-Pinene 13 18
Sabinene 14 29
δ-3-Carene 0,5 2,0
Limonene 2,0 7,0
γ-Terpinene 2,0 6,0
Terpinen-4-ol 2,0 6,0
Safrole 1,0 2,5
Myristicin 5,0 12
NOTE The chromatographic profile is normative, contrary to typical chromatograms given for information in annex A.

2
© ISO ISO 3215:1998(E)

Annex A
(informative)

Typical chromatograms of the analysis by gas chromatography

of the essential oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)

Peak identification Operating conditions

1 α-Thujene Column: capillary, fused silica, length 30 m; internal diameter

2 α-Pinene 0,25 mm
3 Sabinene Film thickness: 0,25 µm
4 β-Pinene Stationary phase: dimethyl polysiloxane (SE 30)
5 δ-3-Carene Oven temperature: temperature programming from 70 °C
6 Limonene to 250 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min
7 1,8-Cineole Injector temperature: 250 °C
8 γ-Terpinene Detector temperature: 250 °C
9 trans-Sabinene hydrate Detector: flame ionization type
10 Terpinen-4-ol Carrier gas: nitrogen
11 Safrole Volume injected: 0,3 µl
12 Myristicin Carrier gas flow rate: 1 cm3/min
12 Elemicin (γ-asarone) Split ratio: 1/100

Figure A.1 — Typical chromatogram taken on an apolar column

3
ISO 3215:1998(E) © ISO

Peak identification Operating conditions

1 α-Thujene Column: capillary, fused silica, length 30 m; internal diameter

2 α-Pinene 0,25 mm
3 β-Pinene Film thickness: 0,25 µm
4 Sabinene Stationary phase: polyethylene glycol bonded (Supelcowax 10)
5 δ-3-Carene Oven temperature: temperature programming from 70 °C
6 Limonene to 250 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min
7 1,8-Cineole Injector temperature: 250 °C
8 γ-Terpinene Detector temperature: 250 °C
9 trans-Sabinene hydrate Detector: flame ionization type
10 Terpinen-4-ol Carrier gas: nitrogen
11 Safrole Volume injected: 0,3 µl
12 Elemicin (γ-asarone) Carrier gas flow rate: 1 cm3/min
13 Myristicin Split ratio: 1/100

NOTE On this phase co-elution between α-pinene and α-thujene is often observed.

Figure A.2 — Typical chromatogram taken on a polar column

4
© ISO ISO 3215:1998(E)

Annex B
(informative)

Flashpoint

B.1 General information
For reasons of safety, transport companies, insurance
companies, people in charge of safety services, etc.
require information on the flashpoint of essential oils,
which in most cases are flammable products.
A comparative study on the relevant methods of
analysis (see ISO/TR 110181)) concluded that it was
hard to find a single method for standardization
purposes, given that:
Consequently, it was decided to give a mean value for
the flashpoint in an informative annex in each
International Standard, for information purposes, in
order to meet the requirements of the interested parties.
If possible, the method by which this value was obtained
should be specified.
For further information see ISO/TR 110181).

 essential oils are varied and their chemical

compositions differ to a large extent; B.2 Flashpoint of oil of nutmeg,
Indonesian type
 the volume of the sample needed for certain test
equipment is incompatible with the high price of The mean value is +48 °C (see note 1); +38 °C (see
essential oils; note 2).
 there are different types of equipment that satisfy NOTE 1 Obtained with “Luchaire” equipment.
the desired objective, but users cannot be obliged
to use one type of equipment rather than another. NOTE 2 Obtained with “Setaflash” equipment.

____________
1) ISO/TR 11018, Essential oils — General guidance on the determination of flashpoint .

5
ISO 3215:1998(E) © ISO

ICS 71.100.60
Descriptors: oils, essential oils, nutmeg, specifications, characteristics, chemical composition, chromatograms, tests, packaging,
marking, storage.

Price based on 5 pages

Acknowledgements

Members of Technical Committee on Herbs

Prof Dr Zhari Ismail (Chairperson) Universiti Sains Malaysia

Prof Dr Azimahtol Hawariah Lope Pihie Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
(Vice Chairperson)
Ms Siti Shapura Mashood (Secretary) SIRIM Berhad
Dato' Dr Rajen M Alterni (M) Sdn Bhd
Dr Ong Mei Ling Applied Chemie Sdn Bhd
Mr Mohamed Redza Baba Department of Agriculture Malaysia
Dr Rasadah Mat Ali/ Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Dr Nor Azah Mohd Ali
Dr Zakiah Ismail/ Institute for Medical Research
Dr Badrul Amini Abd Rashid/
Dr Noral Ashikin Yahya
Mr Ahmad Ab Wahab Malaysian Agricultural Research and
Development Institute
Dr Syed Kamaruddin Syed Wazir Malaysian Herbal Corporation
Ms Saleha Md Ewan/ Ministry of Health Malaysia
Ms Anis Talib (National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau)
Ms Kuziah Ahmad SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd
Prof Dr Muhamad Zakaria Universiti Malaya
Dr Chye Fook Yee Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Prof Ramlan Abd Aziz Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
(Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant)

Co-opted members

Ms Zurinawati Zainal Abidin Biotropics Malaysia Berhad

Mr Hamzah Abu Pati Bumi Sdn Bhd
Dr Puziah Hashim SIRIM Berhad
(Environmental and Bioprocess Technology
Centre)
Prof Dr Mashitah Mohd Yusoff Universiti Malaysia Pahang

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2009 – All rights reserved